9 September, 2026: University of Southampton Delhi today announced the appointment of Dibyendu Bose as its new Chief Operating Officer, as the campus enters its next phase of growth.

Dibyendu brings extensive experience leading the professional functions of higher education, spanning recruitment, admissions, student experience, employability and placements. He has a strong track record of scaling university operations while improving student outcomes, alongside experience guiding partnerships with Ivy League institutions in new and fast-growing markets. His professional expertise is complemented by an outstanding academic background, including qualifications from MIT and the Indian School of Business.

He succeeds Dr Vishal Talwar, the founding Chief Operating Officer of University of Southampton Delhi, who has overseen the establishment and launch of the campus. Appointed to translate the University of Southampton’s vision for India’s first international branch campus (under the new UGC regulations) into an operational institution, Dr Talwar has guided the campus from planning through to full academic delivery, including welcoming its first student cohorts, developing its academic and professional services teams, and establishing industry and school partnerships. Following the successful establishment and launch of the campus, Dr Talwar will now join the Times Group as Chief Operating Officer to lead its International Branch Campus vertical.

Commenting on the appointment, Andrew Atherton, VP – International and Engagement, University of Southampton, said: “I would like to thank Dr Vishal Talwar for his leadership in establishing University of Southampton Delhi and guiding the campus through its launch and early successes. Launching a new international campus is a complex undertaking, and Vishal has made a significant contribution to the progress achieved over the past two years. We wish him every success in his new role.

“I am delighted to welcome Dibyendu Bose to University of Southampton Delhi. He brings extensive international experience, outstanding academic credentials and a strong track record of leadership. I look forward to working with him as we continue to strengthen the University’s impact through academic reputation, corporate and community engagement, and strong student outcomes.”

Dr Vishal Talwar said: “It has been a privilege to be part of the founding journey of University of Southampton Delhi. Building a new international campus from the ground up has been an

extraordinary experience, and I am particularly proud of the team we have built, the students who placed their trust in us, and the progress we have made in establishing the University of Southampton in India.”

The campus is already demonstrating compelling student outcomes. Ahead of graduation, the majority of the 70 students in its inaugural postgraduate cohort have secured roles with leading organisations across finance, technology and consulting, including HSBC, Investec, L.E.K. Consulting, Transbnk, ICICI Bank, Grant Thornton, Incedo and Zomato.

The University is also expanding its academic and community engagement in India successfully. Through its partnership with Google DeepMind and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, the Experience AI programme is bringing foundational AI education to schools across the country. The initiative will train almost 400 educators and reach approximately 8,000 school students, while providing University of Southampton Delhi students with opportunities to participate in educational outreach and development.

University of Southampton Delhi will continue to expand its academic, industry and community partnerships and create new opportunities for students and graduates in India and internationally.

About University of Southampton Delhi

University of Southampton Delhi is the first UGC-approved International university to establish a campus in India under NEP 2020. The university drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world’s challenges.

We are ranked 17th in The Times Good University Guide 2026 (UK University Rankings) and 52nd in the world in the TIME Magazine World University Rankings, 2026. Our academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 25,000-strong community of exceptional students from over 135 countries worldwide. Through our high-quality education, the University helps students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join our global network of over 200,000 alumni.

University of Southampton’s Successful Futures Pathway is an award-winning programme designed to help students evaluate their skills, align them with employer expectations, and prepare for successful career pathways. The programmes also offer tailored support and access to a wide range of work experience opportunities both on and off campus. The University is globally recognised for its strong career outcomes, backed by a proven track record in graduate employability and industry engagement. According to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022, it ranks among the top 110 institutions worldwide for employability. The University is also listed among the top 15 universities in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025, and features among the top 10 UK universities most targeted by leading employers, as reported in The Graduate Market 2023.